Oak Ridge senator: Drug test all judges in Tennessee

State Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, and Rep. Ryan Haynes, R-Knoxville, said Friday they will introduce legislation which calls for drug testing all Tennessee judges.

Special to The Oak Ridger

State Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, and Rep. Ryan Haynes, R-Knoxville, said Friday they will introduce legislation which calls for drug testing all Tennessee judges.

McNally made the announcement after meeting Thursday with Knox County Prosecutor Leland Price and the families of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom, according to a release.

Christian and Newsom were raped, tortured and murdered seven years ago. Lemaricus Davidson, Letalvis Cobbins, George Thomas and Vanessa Coleman were later convicted and sentenced to prison.

The families of Newsome and Christian had to endure two trials as a result of the misconduct of Judge Richard Baumgartner, who pleaded guilty to illegally taking narcotics during the first trial of the convicted murderers in which he presided.

As a result of Baumgartner's plea, the four defendants who had previously been found guilty, were retried and convicted again.

“For a family to have to go through one trial where it involves the torturous murder of their loved one is far too painful for anyone to endure,” McNally stated. “But to have to go through two trials is inconceivable and inexcusable. This legislation addresses this so that no one will have to endure this kind of lengthy and

excruciatingly painful court process again due to drug abuse by a judge.”

“I think it's important that our citizens have confidence in our justice system,” Haynes stated. “It is pretty clear after what these two families have gone through that there are issues that need to be addressed.”

McNally said he also plans to introduce legislation which provides for harsher punishment for ethical misconduct by officers of the court who lie about crime victims in order to advance their case.

“Attorney are officers of the court and should not be allowed to lie in order to advance their case at the expense of the victim,” McNally added. “To do so amounts to a second crime against the victims and their families and should be treated as such.”

McNally said both pieces of legislation are still in the drafting stages.

“I am appalled at what these victims and their families endured during these trials,” he said. “We must make sure this never happens again.”

McNally is the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and represents Senate District 5 in the Tennessee State Senate, which encompasses Anderson and Loudon counties and portions of Knox County. Haynes is chairman of the State Government Committee and represents portions of Knox County in the Tennessee House of Representatives.